Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Makes Presentation to Strategic Plan Review Committee

Albany, New York -- Long Island Regional Council co-chairs Kevin Law, President of the Long island Association, and Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University, unveiled a vision for a revitalized Long Island economy that would nurture job-creating high-tech industries, support mixed-use development and create programs to train a new generation of engineers and scientists.

They made their presentation to the five-member Strategic Plan Review Committee, appointed by Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams, and were joined by council member Dr. Samuel Aronson, Director of Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The 23-member Long Island Regional Council, along with several workgroups, submitted their plan, "Long Island's Future Economy: A New Beginning for Nassau and Suffolk Counties," to Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. The plan outlined 13 transformative regional projects in innovation technologies, regional redevelopment, workforce and natural assets development; 12 recommendations for the Excelsior tax credit, to create almost 3,800 jobs; and projects of regional significance.

"Today we have the opportunity to present our case for Long Island's future to a statewide audience," said co-chair Stuart Rabinowitz. "Long Island has the assets, the institutions, the population and the promise to create a new economy and a better future for the next generation. We are pleased to have the opportunity to tell the Long Island story to the distinguished members of this panel."

"Long Island's businesses and economy is as diverse as our residents, and this plan gives us a roadmap to a bright economic future," said co-chair Kevin Law. "The plan written by the Long Island Regional Council is a blueprint for a new economy based on innovation, our people, our environment and our communities."

The regional council has been meeting since August to craft the plan presented today. It is one of 10 regional councils statewide vying to be one of four to get $40 million each in state assistance, including $25 million in grants and $15 million in tax credits. Governor Cuomo will announce the four regions in mid-December.

The Long Island council unanimously adopted its plan earlier this month. The plan identifies new initiatives to boost growth industries such bio-technology and health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing, as well as existing proposals for mixed-use developments.

The 13 projects recommended by the Council are:

A "Smart Grid" Research Center that would be jointly run by Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory

Improvements to sewers in Hempstead Village, with the hopes that would encourage development

The Heartland Town Square Project that would turn the former Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital into a mixed-use development